Why Some Video Game Companies Are Staying Silent on Abortion

Employees who want their companies to speak up are getting frustrated. Kotaku reported that employees of ZeniMax Media subsidiaries called the company's lack of responsedeafening.

There is a lot of frustration internally with comms and executives about the lack of public statements, particularly with a lot of California and Seattle studios being very loud and clear. Although the company has been willing to speak to employees internally about their concerns, it is extremely wary of litigation from the Texas government. They are focused on protecting current employees over making public statements.

The law regarding abortion in Texas is not clear. Private citizens have the power to take legal action against people who help with an abortion. Efforts like abortion funds have been stopped because of uncertainty. It is hard to see that well-funded companies are afraid of the government. There are dozens and dozens of independent development teams that don't have the same resources as the big boys.

Developers are helping employees leave impacted states. Max Hoberman, the founder and CEO of Certain Affinity, told his employees in May that the company would help relocate them to a safer state or province if the opinion that would overturn the decision to allow abortion was leaked. Texas is the location of it's headquarters. "These are tricky areas to navigate, as state governments may at some point decide that, by supporting vulnerable employees in their time of need, we fall on the wrong side of the law," Hoberman told employees. It is a reality and a risk that we must carefully navigate.

The company has been open about relocation options despite being left out of official communication. Leaving Texas, or any of the other impacted states, is an imperfect solution that is indicative of the class divide that plagues abortion. "'Just leave for a safe state' is inherently a privileged stance that only solve the problem for a fraction of the affected," they said.

Leaving may no longer be an option as the government seeks to expand anti- abortion laws. When access to healthcare is tied to a job, there are only a few safe havens.